bent blades

[MONK]

Is there an easy way to change to a different section of the patteren without bending the blade while trying to thread the blade thru the small hole and reataching to the upper arm?

[oops99]

Hey Monk,

Welcome, what kind of scroll saw do you have? They make saws with movable top arms that lift up when the blade is detached, this makes it a lot easier than what you appear to be going through. Are you using the hold down for the wood, that little foot that keeps the wood flat on the table, if so, take it off, it only gets in the way, I am willing to bet that 99.9% of the scrollers here will tell you the same thing, this will give you more room to swing the blade to a new hole.
Let us know the make and model# of your saw, or a picture if you can.

oops99

[Jim8Mad]

It takes practice to get that tiny blade threaded through that tiny hole without mangling it. I think everybody here has had some sort of problem with threading blades at one time or another. Keep at it and you'll figure out a way that works for you.

[jigsue]

I don't worry too much if the blade gets a little bent when re-threading it, I just attach it and tension it - it doesn't make any difference that I can perceive - probably reduces their life a little, but not so much as I've noticed.

Sue

[SNAPPER]

Drill a bigger hole. ha ha. It can be a pain to thread a small flexable blade through a hole that is not much bigger than the blade. Practice, Practice. Not sure what kind of saw you have. On my Delta I am able to move the hold down foot out of the way, this allows me to thread the blade with no problems. When I have bent a blade (usually at the top) I use a pliers to straighten it. Did not affect the cutting.
Dean

[JohnB]

G'day Monk,
Welcome to a group of the nicest people your ever likely not to meet

Like Oops says, chuck that foot to buggery.
Like Jim says, practice practice practice.
Like Sue says, It don't matter if you do bend it.
Like Dean says, Huh

Have fun and keep on coming back with any questions and of course with photos of your work.

[CanadianScroller]

This is the dilemma with a bottom feed saw.
If the back of the piece is not going to be seen you can put a dot of red felt pen on each hole to see them better.
There is also a light in the form of an LED that can be clamped under the table of the saw. Some saws need a small hole drilled through the table to let the light shine.

[tomsteve]

try filing or grinding the end of the blade to a point.

[MONK]

i have a dremel that i bought ~20 years ago for $10.00 at a yard sale. but the one i use now is a craftsman. 18", v-speed. works great. i have been doing woodwork for years. have just got restarted w/scrolling. has been ~15 years since i did any seriuos scrolling.

[guitarman]

Welcome Monk, I hope you get back that scrolling fever that the rest of us have. Glad to have you here among the best scrollers in the world. David